Full Notification

Help Identify the Red Car Flasher

Los Angeles. Detectives have released a second sketch of a man they have dubbed, the Red Car Flasher, who has exposed his naked body to teen-aged Hispanic girls near Arleta and Panorama City middle and high schools over a dozen times since August 2011. Detectives have attributed the latest incident to the same suspect. This most recent incident occurred at Woodman Avenue and Lassen Street.

(Sketches: Image 1: March 2012; Image 2: January 2013)

“Two victims in separate incidents have given us descriptions that have resulted in two nearly identical sketches,” said Det. Luz Montero, an investigator at LAPD’s Mission Area Police Station. “We think the suspect lives in the area he prowls.”

On the afternoon of December 22, 2012, an 18-year-old girl was walking on the sidewalk near Woodman Avenue and Lassen Street, when she noticed a red compact car parked at the curb with the passenger door open. A fair-skinned man unexpectedly jumped out from the open car door, completely naked, and extended his arms toward the girl as if to hug or grab her. The girl ran away, and the suspect drove away in the red car.

“We want to warn the public again with this latest incident before the school session resumes, and we want everyone to be on the lookout for the Red Car Flasher,” Det. Montero explained. “We’re calling him a flasher, but since he has tried to grab victims, the stakes are much higher.” So far, no victims have been physically harmed.

The red compact car is a commonality among all the cases, as is the suspect’s light complexion and close-cropped, receding hair with a bit of gray. Victims have ranged his age between 25 and 40 and height from medium to tall. He may have a scar on one cheek, and one victim thought his name may be Paul. The red car may be an older import like a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. In some cases he may have tried to hide the license plate with a towel or shirt. All the victims have been Hispanic girls in their teens.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call LAPD Mission Detectives, at (818) 838-9975. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

Detectives will release a map showing the location of all the incidents and proximity to schools.

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